Any Merit?

[Ray Ussery]

[Dave Bagwill]

The tone bars, at first glance, appear to be more effective than the Martin style; maybe aren't though?
They look more efficient to me because they are driven directly by the movement of the bridge/plate, rather than being driven 'second-hand' by the xbrace that IS directly excited by the bridge/plate.

Better than Martin-style? Beats me.

[ken cierp]

Tone bars are an important part of the overall structure -- positioned cross grain to prevent cracks. Fan bracing does not accomplish this very well, if you need proof take a look at some older Ovations I bet a bag of donut holes you'll see many along the grain cracks. $.02

[Dave Bagwill]

So maybe the Larivee single brace connecting the x-braces is a good idea as well.

[ken cierp]

I believe Larrivee makes some of the very best sounding production guitars. So yes -- matter of fact my Norman Blake style 12th fret OM has single tone bar perpendicular to the top center-line.

[Dave Bagwill]

Nice.

[ken cierp]

Ray -- what's up with the those little deally thingies on the ends of the fan braces near the HUGE! bridge plate?